World War II veteran's medals replaced

88-year-old WWII veteran Clyde Kellogg holds his new medals he just received from Jack Harkins, left, the chairman of United Veterans Council of San Diego County. The medals replace the ones stolen from his home. At right is Clyde's wife, Lucille. They've been married since 1947.
— Charlie Neuman

88-year-old WWII veteran Clyde Kellogg holds his new medals he just received from Jack Harkins, left, the chairman of United Veterans Council of San Diego County. The medals replace the ones stolen from his home. At right is Clyde's wife, Lucille. They've been married since 1947.
— Charlie Neuman

VISTA  It only cost about $100 to replace more than a handful of medals that were stolen from a decorated World War II veteran.

Judging from Clyde Kellogg’s reaction Friday morning, however, the value of those heirlooms could not be quantified.

Kellogg, 88, broke down in tears when United Veterans Council chairman Jack Harkins presented him with an enclosed case containing each and every medal that was taken. Kellogg’s Bronze Star, Purple Heart, presidential unit citation, World War II victory medal, good-conduct medal and three riflery medals were all restored.

“You don’t know how much I appreciate this,” Kellogg told Harkins on Friday as his eyes welled. “This represents a lot of hard times, but to this day I would do it again if I had to.”

Kellogg served 21 years in the Marine Corps, from 1942-63, and retired as a 1st sergeant. He won his Bronze Star for valor and earned his Purple Heart during the famous Battle of Guadalcanal in 1943.

The investigation into the theft is ongoing, said San Diego Sheriff’s Department Detective James McConnaughey. San Diego County Crime Stoppers this week announced a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Kellogg served as a machine-gunner during World War II, and he won his Bronze Star when he killed three Japanese soldiers who emerged from a tank after running over his emplacement. He was later shot through the throat in the jungle by the enemy and lost half his voice box as a result.

After being injured, Kellogg spent time in hospitals in New Zealand; Coronado; Corpus Christi, Texas; and Camp Lejeune, N.C., he said.

All his medals were hanging on the wall of an enclosed patio in the Vista home where he lives with his wife of 63 years, Lucille. The door to the patio was locked, and there were signs of forced entry, although the lock didn’t provide much of a barrier.

Kellogg said he first noticed the medals were missing last Friday. The new medals, he said, will stay inside the house.

“It’s terrific,” said Kellogg, a father of one, grandfather of one and great-grandfather of one.

“I can’t get over it. It’s hard to believe that somebody would step up and do something like this for someone. It means so much to me.”

Harkins said he received authorization from local Marine Corps command to purchase the replacement medals from an authorized supplier.

“When someone does an injustice to one Marine, they do it to all Marines,” Harkins said. “And we don’t let injustices stand when we can correct them.”